If you’re into your board games, you’ll be chuffed to hear that there’s a tabletop gaming festival coming to Manchester where you can roll dice, role-play and roll up your sleeves for a proper old-school sweaty gaming session.
Ah, those were the days, and we’re determined to relive them as often as we can.
Set up by local tabletop meeting organisers Dungeons and Flagons, who have various events taking place at different locations all around Greater Manchester each and every month, the ‘Tabletop Weekender’ next month is set to be their biggest event to date.
Taking place in the first weekend of February, visitors can expect hours upon hours of board game fun, with tickets available for both days of the full weekend if you really want to put some tabletop time in.
The Dungeons and Flagons brand has slowly but steadily been building a pretty big cult following in and around Manchester, with regular meetings amongst fellow board game fans almost every night of the week at multiple venues in the city centre and beyond.
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While this is by no means the first festival like this, they’re hoping to kick off 2024 with a bang by making this the biggest and best Weekender yet.
And when we say this is an all-dayer, we mean it: the fun starts from 10am and runs all the way until 10pm on Saturday, as well 10am-8pm on Sunday, there’ll never be a lull in the festivities.
Sponsored by industry brands Hachette Boardgames UK, Zatu Games and Chaosium Inc., you can expect raffles and giveaways, a traders row to buy and sell; bingo, pub quizzes and other activities, not to mention more cosplay and game choices than possible moves in a game of Warhammer.
They always have plenty of cards up there sleeves too. Not literally — that would be cheating.
But, seriously, the 18+ afterparties once the games have included everything from standup and live magic to karaoke, horror film screenings and party games galore.
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It’s the biggest board game festival and gathering of tabletop players anywhere in Greater Manchester.
With games like straightforward Dungeons and Dragons and ‘Puzzle Parlour’ jigsaw sessions, to the Honey Heist RPG, the ominously named ‘Blood on the Clocktower’ and so many more choices, you can turn up and book on to so many different kids of games or just go with the flow.
Taking place in the Manchester Metropolitan University‘s Student Union over the first weekend of next month, this fun and family-friendly event isn’t just for those who are used to playing board games; the Tabletop Weekender is the perfect opportunity to give the genre a try if you’ve ever been curious.
If you fancy rolling the dice on it, you can grab your tickets HERE and there will be a small amount available to buy on the door across both days.
Hope you catch a few of you there!
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Manchester favourites hosting a heartwarming festive social for those alone this Christmas
Danny Jones
Beloved Manchester bar and cafe, Haunt, have announced that they will be hosting a special social to spread some much-needed seasonal cheer to those who are spending Christmas apart from their families and/or friends this year.
Wholesome stuff from a wholesome bunch.
That’s right, friendly neighbourhood ghosts Haunt will be putting on a little free shindig for the 2025 festive period in an effort not only to share the typical kindness with locals based in and around the city centre but to help create “a sense of community, no matter what your situation”.
Announcing the completely open-to-the-public Christmas Eve party over the weekend, the team are looking to provide those who might otherwise be lonely or struggle during the holidays with a warm, arms-wide welcome, plus plenty more.
Writing on their social media account this past Sunday, bar manager JJ said: “People, it’s time to connect this Christmas! We will be providing free coffee and sweet treats from 12-5pm on Christmas Eve, as well as some games and workshops.
“We’ve put a lot of work into this, so it would be amazing to see as many of you there as possible! Also need this to reach the people that need an event like this most, so please share and repost.
“As always, look out for your people, I wouldn’t be anywhere without mine – JJ xoxo”
Come on, who doesn’t love seeing heartwarming stuff like this on their feed, especially when it comes to a time of year where so many suffer quietly amid the majority having a good time?
This isn’t the first time they’ve held a pop-up that’s caught our attention in 2025, either; it was only last month that we were surprised to stumble on a mini padel court in the middle of the room.
Once again, there’ll be brews and fresh bakes, as well as plenty of other activities to keep people entertained on the night.
As described in their post, Christmas can be tough for a lot of people, and if they can make even just one person looking for some kindness and companionship feel better for a few hours this year, then they’ll have done above and beyond their job.
It goes without saying that we love seeing local businesses taking the social and community side of their work like this to heart and putting in serious effort to make a difference.
Well done to JJ, the Chosen Family support group, and everyone at Haunt for setting this up; if you know anyone who might be interested in coming along, please do pass on the information.
You can grab your free tickets via Eventbrite right HERE, and maybe we’ll see some of you there.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Haunt (via Instagram)
What's On
The full lineup for the Strictly Live tour has been revealed
Danny Jones
Yes, ballroom lovers, it’s here: the full lineup of dancers for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’ tour has finally and officially been revealed.
It feels like fans have been waiting ages to find out the entire roster for the Strictly Live tour next year, with only limited waves having been released thus far.
However, the patience has paid off, and we now know who’ll be starring both on the stage and on down on the floors of some of Britain’s most beloved venues, including our very own AO Arena.
You can see the latest raft of additions down below.
As you can see, the final four couples who complete the next Strictly Live tour lineup for 2026 are social media personality George Clarke, Emmerdale face Lewis Cope, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and another actor in Layton Williams.
This quality quartet will be paired up with Alexis Warr, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley and Nikita Kuzmin, respectively; it has already been confirmed that much-loved trio Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will be returning as judges, with Janette Manrara remaining as host.
Strictly‘s still ongoing season – the 23rd in the show’s history – is due to conclude this weekend, following the final on Saturday night (20 December), and it remains to be seen which of the current cast will be crowned champion, with several of those above and below now signed up for the live tour.
The rest of the Strictly Live dancers for 2026 here:
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka ‘Nitro’
Alex Kingston
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Balvinder Sopal
George Clarke
La Voix
Chris Robshaw
Ellie Goldstein
Thomas Skinner
Vicky Pattison
Stefan Dennis
Ross King
Karen Carney
Lewis Cope
Amber Davies
It isn’t guaranteed that each of these contestants will be taking part in EVERY single one of the tour dates, but either way, you’ve still got ‘The Professionals’ to come next spring, too.
The annual Strictly Come Dancing UK tour has become a firm fan favourite, not only among die-hard viewers of the BBC show but lovers of live entertainment in general.
Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and others confirmed the dates for their live shows earlier this year, with the AO set to host the two days’ worth of moves across Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February.
Hosting both normal evening shows as well as matinee slots, it’s simply up to you at what time of day you fancy panto-booing Craig…
If you’re interested in securing tickets for the typically fabulous festivals, you can grab yours HERE.
Danny Jones -
19th January 2024 
